Kuwait 2-3 Iraq: goals and highlights in the Gulf Cup of Nations — as it happened

We were in the closing stages of the match; we waited to see how much stoppage time the referee would add to that thrilling game. Iraq kept pressing in search of a winning goal, and the match was ending with end-to-end action.

We were in the final minutes of the match—six minutes plus stoppage time remained. Kuwait had managed to equalize with a spirited comeback, and we waited to see how that intense, thrilling game would conclude.

Kuwait made changes to play more offensively and push for an equalizer; we were approaching the final 10 minutes of the match, and they were looking to get on the scoreboard—it was shaping up to be a thrilling finish.

Cramps started to set in as a result of the effort the players had put into the match; there had been a lot of end-to-end running, and we waited to see how they would adjust for the closing stages, a great match at that moment.

Kuwait committed fouls in its push to win back the ball and press forward for an equalizer; the team began to grow desperate as it failed to halt Iraq's powerful attack, which looked very solid in that match.

The substitute players got up to warm up for potential substitutions; changes were already being prepared for the match, which had gained momentum as it progressed. We saw how both teams adjusted during that phase of the second half.

Kuwait pressed again, trying to find an equalizer; they had been outplayed by the Iraqi team, which continued to look for a counterattack to extend its lead. It was a very exciting, end-to-end match.

Iraq took the lead; finally, after sustained pressure, they went ahead with a good from Zidane Iqbal, who tapped the ball in to give his national team the advantage in that intense second half, a great goal.

Kuwait pressed and looked to play long balls to find an unmarked forward who could tap it in; there was plenty of intensity but a lack of clarity in that phase of the match, and the game remained scoreless.

There were no changes for the second half; the same 22 players took the field for the conclusion of that tight, exciting match. We saw which team could play more aggressively and open the scoring.

We were in the final minutes of the first half—three minutes plus stoppage time remained in a very tight match that looked set to go into the break scoreless; it was a strong finish to the half, a great close.

We were reaching the final stretch of the first half, and it looked unlikely that the deadlock would be broken; as we neared the end of that opening period, we waited to see if either team managed to take the lead—it promised an exciting conclusion to the half.

Iraq looked more dangerous at that stage of the match and was closing in on the opening goal; Kuwait continued to defend while looking to catch their opponents off guard with counterattacks. It had been a fast-paced first half.

Iraq had two shots on target, while Kuwait had managed just one; it was a very tight match, and the opening goal seemed unlikely to come, as neither team was able to finish off their dangerous attacks.

We were approaching the 30-minute mark, and Kuwait was having to defend against Iraq's pressure; it was an end-to-end game with chances at both ends, and neither team was dominating that first half, a great game.

The pace of the match slowed slightly, and the game remained tied in a first half that had gained momentum as it progressed; both teams defended superbly and gave their opponents no space, though Kuwait began to show more attacking intent.

There were many fouls being committed that prevented the ball from flowing smoothly; Iraq committed infractions and had already had its first player booked—Mohammed Majid, who was then playing under the threat of a potential sending-off.

Kuwait tried to push forward and create scoring chances but kept losing possession quickly; Iraq controlled the tempo of the first half but had yet to open the scoring, while the fans continued to cheer them on.

The pace of the match picked up as the minutes ticked by, and Iraq started to send crosses into the box; they came dangerously close to scoring the opening goal of that great match, while the fans had not stopped cheering.

The ball was being played mostly in midfield, and for the moment, neither team was dictating the terms of play; Iraq tried to keep possession and push forward without leaving gaps at the back, moving the ball all across the pitch.

Kuwait pushed forward, looking to create threats and score the opening goal, while Iraq had to defend to relieve the pressure during that first half; it was a promising start to the match, with both teams actively vying for possession.

Here was the Iraq national team's lineup to face Kuwait in an away match that would not be easy, but where they aimed for the win and their first three points in a round that promised to be one of the best:

Here was the Kuwait national team's lineup to face Iraq in that Gulf Cup match; they fielded their best players in pursuit of the win and the three points in a highly competitive game featuring top-tier talent on the pitch:

Everything was set for the start of the match; the players were ready and awaiting the signal to return to the pitch. Both teams were looking to secure a victory in a game that promised to be one of the highlights of that round of the Gulf Cup.

Both teams finished warming up and returned to their dressing rooms; a few minutes later, they headed back out to the pitch for the national anthem ceremony and the start of that great football match. The fans were eagerly awaiting kickoff.

The players from both sides were already taking the field, preparing for that Gulf Cup of Nations match; a few minutes later, we also knew the starting lineups for a game where three points were at stake—there was a great atmosphere building up.